The New Orleans Pelicans won their fourth consecutive game Saturday when they blew out the Indiana Pacers, 128-109, at home. Incidentally, it was the third straight game that saw Zion Williamson come off the bench, with the former No. 1 pick embracing his new role since his return from a hip adductor strain.
The Duke product finished with a season-high 29 points from just 23 minutes off the bench, shooting 9-of-14 from the floor and 11-of-13 from the free throw line, as Indiana’s defense had no answers for him attacking the paint.
Zion Williamson Trade Value
Some analysts believe that Zion Williamson’s trade value may have skyrocketed in light of his recent performances, not to mention his willingness to embrace a bench role.
“Once again, the Pelicans’ coaching staff elected to bring Zion Williamson off the bench, and it paid off,” Pelican DeBrief’s Chris Lambert wrote on Saturday.
Lambert highlighted how Jordan Poole also added 16 points off the bench, making an argument that the combination of Poole, Williamson, Jose Alvarado and Yves Missi has given the Pelicans one of the strongest second units in the NBA.
“These are the types of wins you want if you’re Troy Weaver and Joe Dumars. Not just because your veterans balled out and upped their trade value, but your rookies also showed out,” added Lambert.
Zion Williamson Trade Prospects
To Lambert’s point, the Pelicans’ promising young center Derik Queen (17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists) once again validated his “Baby Jokic” moniker, proving why Joe Dumars gave up a 2026 first-round pick to acquire him in last year’s Draft. Pelicans wings Saddiq Bey and Trey Murphy III also showed out on Saturday, combining for 35 points, to help the Pelicans extend their winning streak.
The Pelicans (7-22) have no incentive to tank the 2025-26 season, given that they don’t own a 2026 first-round pick. However, some insiders have suggested that they could trade Zion Williamson and the other veterans, specifically Herb Jones, Jordan Poole and Jose Alvarado, with hopes of collecting draft assets and building around their treasured duo of Queen and Jeremiah Fears.
Amid rumors of the Pelicans shopping Williamson, their longtime franchise star, Forbes’ Evan Sidery recently reported that a deal is unlikely before the Feb. 5 deadline.
“It’s far more likely the Pelicans keep Zion Williamson than deal him during trade season,” Sidery reported on X. “Due to Williamson’s injuries, many teams believe he will never reach his peak potential elsewhere. Williamson’s contract with New Orleans only holds guaranteed money through this season.
Williamson’s salary for 2025-26 ($39.4M) became guaranteed once he met certain criteria during the 2024-25 season, and the Pelicans chose not to waive him. However, he once again faces the risk of being waived if he doesn’t meet certain thresholds for 2026-27. The complexities of his deal could make him a tough player to trade.
ESPN’s front-office insider Bobby Marks, though, feels a team desperate for star power could gamble on a Zion Williamson trade due to the low-risk nature of his contract.
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